April 2, 2014

How To Make DIY Gold Leaf Abstract Art

Hey ya'll! I'm taking a break from renovation updates for a week or two. I have so much to tell you. I can barely stand the wait, but I think it's best to let everything get finished and then share everything.In the meantime....

To get my mind off the fact that I'm living out of a Jansport and finding dust in places dust should NEVER be, I made some art.

I came home from this awful routine early yesterday, put on my Jesse sweatpants, put the roommates elsewhere (because as we learned last time, Tootie and Cheese hate art), sat on my bed, and played with gold leaf and paint.

It was a glorious reprieve...from this scene currently underway in my entryway.

So, I attempted to create a little beauty amongst the chaos.

Here's my gold leaf abstract painting.

I've been wanting to make one for awhile now, and after seeing these beautiful versions here and here, I trotted my pony as close to the wagon as I could, and slung myself right in.Pony's current whereabouts: unknown.

I've created my fair share of art in the past, and this one is definitely a favorite.

The gold leaf really just makes it.

Plus, I feel like it'll look good just about anywhere. Not like I have any way of testing that theory right now, but ya know.

Since I was using oil paints (just because I love the way they look), I applied my gold leaf first.

Oil paints take forever to dry, and this thing is still wet almost 24 hours later.

I know. It's hanging on my wall.

Rebel.

But, anyways, if you use acrylic paint, you can apply the gold leaf before or after.

Just apply the glue wherever you want your gold leaf to be.

I swirled it around randomly.

Then, put a sheet of gold leaf over the glue. This stuff is flimsy and gets flakes everywhere if you're not careful, so I was extra delicate with the manhand.

Welcome back, Kotter.

After allowing the glue to completely dry, I just used a paper towel to shake off the excess leaf into a bag.

Once your gold leaf is done, it's time for paint. You don't have to do this next step, but I really love the way it looks. I mixed in heavy structure gel into my paint after I mixed it, just to give it that 'impasto' look. It basically just makes your paint have texture and stand out from the canvas.

I just used a paper plate for my paint mixing. Luxury.

You can make your art in any shape, color, form, or texture.

That's what makes it abstract.

If you buy a paint pack like I did, they usually come with most of the basic colors. You can mix and match them to create other colors, and then add white to lighten or black to darken. I actually have this little color wheel that I use when mixing paint (affiliate link). A reader suggested it to me way back in the day, and I've been using it ever since.I really struggled with mixing colors when I first started painting. Mostly because I would overmix and end up with brown, brown, and more brown. And I've since learned that a little color mixology knowledge goes a really long way when making art. So, for those of you who find specifics helpful, that big blob in the below pic (the lightest one) is red paint, mixed with a tiny bit of yellow, and then lightened with white. I used a lot of that combo on this painting.

I painted on this canvas forever, tweaking it and blending it. Eventually, it got to a point where I really liked it.

This is another reason I love oil paint. You can keep playing with it for a lot longer than you would be able to if you were using acrylics.

There are really no rules when it comes to making abstract art.

My rule: If you love it, it's art.

I'm just a sloth painting and living in my bed, so my opinion may not carry all that much weight. But, just in case you were curious.

Just found your wonderful blog and I love it! Please forgive me for mentioning one tiny imperfection amidst all the loveliness...you spell ya'll incorrectly. It's actually spelled y'all, since it's a contraction of the words you all. I really look forward to enjoying everything on your blog from now on, though...ya'll or no y'all! :)

I love this! I consider myself to be pretty artsy-fartsy when it comes to DIY projects and whatnot but painting...painting is a totally different bear to me. I want to try this even though your curious roommates paw prints would probably do a better job than I :)

It is gorgeous. I love the soft colors and gold leaf really makes it pop !!!! I can't wait to try this. I have never used oil paints or the gel you mentioned. I hope mine does not end up looking like a 3 year old did it. I think I will really enjoy experimenting.

I've painted one painting in my life. That was about 2 years ago. It turned out OK but never gonna win an art contest ;-) Yours is quite lovely! (Just so ya know, I found a HUGE icky 1980's framed oil painting on canvas at the thrift store for $35. Painted over it with latex paint rolled on, then did a sort of impressionist scene. (Some guy out there's gonna wonder where his 'masterpiece' went. Too bad...It got covered up with mine. Hee hee!)

Well Virginia - you just have such a wonderful ability to take any situation and make something great out of it! During our exhaustive and exhausting home renovations a couple of years back (oops here comes the eczema back just remembering...) I did not have a single ounce of creative spirit left in my bones...and here you are creating something exquisite! You really are remarkable....big Kiwi ups to you for keeping hold of your true self and expressing it while things are so difficult.

Hi Virginia! I love the way your gold leaf art turned out. I never knew that you could use a simple glue stick. If I had only come across your blog before I bought an expensive bottle of special adhesive....oh well, live and learn, LOLOL! Love your sweet conversational quality!Vicki J.

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Hi! I'm Virginia! I'm a newlywed & new homeowner who loves decorating and DIY projects. Making something new out of something old is what inspires me! I'm constantly looking for affordable ways to transform our house! This is my place to share inspirations and DIY! Oh, and maybe talk a little bit about my love for very fat cats. View my story